Kokkinakis set for Aus Open debut

Thanasi Kokkinakis in action. Source: Dylan Coker / News Limited

THANASI Kokkinakis' summer of dreams just keeps getting better, with the Adelaide 17-year-old set to make his grand slam tennis debut at the Australian Open next week.

The Seacombe Heights teenager got word Tennis Australia had offered him an Open wildcard on Tuesday, continuing a whirlwind week which has seen him thrill local crowds at the World Tennis Challenge.

GALLERY: STARS SHINE AT WORLD TENNIS CHALLENGE

"It's amazing, I felt like I had a good chance but to actually be offered a wildcard into a senior grand slam is unreal,'' Kokkinakis said.

"I can't wait to play now. I might draw someone in the top four, top 10, the top 100, it doesn't matter all of them can seriously play at that level.

"I'll continue to go out there and adopt the same mindset and do my best to compete."

Kokkinakis continues to amaze tennis experts with how quickly he is adapting to playing top 100 world ranked players.

The world's No. 570th ranked player stole the show on night one of the WTC at Memorial Drive when he beat world No. 29, Frenchman, Jeremy Chardy - 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (10-6).

It followed a breakout Brisbane International where Kokkinakis beat World No. 82 Andrey Golubev en route to qualifying for the main draw.

He then served the second set before losing to eventual champion Lleyton Hewett in the opening round.

"I'm definitely taking confidence from all of these results,'' he says.

"They're all little steps but I know that it's going to be tough.

"I'm just trying to respect everyone I play but not give anyone too much respect."

Thanasi Kokkinakis in action. Source: News Limited

The 195cm right-hander has had 1987 Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash courtside with him during the World Tennis Challenge and the pair have done some work on the practice court.

Cash said Kokkinakis was as likely as any current player - Bernard Tomic included - to become Australia's first top 10 player since Lleyton Hewett.

Cash believed Kokkinakis could reach the world's top 30 within about two years.

"He's going to be a very good player, there's no doubt about that,'' Cash said.

"I've known Thanasi for a long time. The thing about him is he's got a good attitude and he's willing to work hard.

"If you do that you have a chance … There's a lot that can happen with injury going forward but if all goes to plan he's as likely as any of the current (Australian) guys to make the top 10."

Cash said the most exciting thing about Kokkinakis was the size of his game.

"Thanasi's got massive weapons,'' Cash said.

"He's got good height, he's got good technique and he gets good power.

"By and large, he's already got a game that can compete against men.

"It's just about the consistency now and the day-to-day grind of getting the body tough."

WORLD TENNIS CHALLENGE THURSDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE

Court One

Pat Cash v Yannick Noah

Thanasi Kokkinakis v Feliciano Lopez

Tracey Austin v Martina Navratilova

Court Two

Henri Leconte v Mats Wilander

Jeremy Chardy vs Ivan Dodig

Nicole Bradtke/ Pat Cash v Martina Hingis/ Mansour Bahrami

Followed by 21 Point tie-break involving all players.

The World Tennis Challenge will be broadcast on FOXSPORTS 3HD and FOXSPORTS 3 at 6.30pm.

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